Busbar connection assembly

ABSTRACT

According to various embodiments, a datacenter busbar conductor may be inserted into an opening that is formed between a first conductor and a second conductor of a busbar connection assembly. The busbar connection assembly can be restricted from being removed from the opening that is formed between the first conductor and the second conductor. The busbar connection assembly can be electrically coupled to an electrical power source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/568,963, titled “BUSBAR CONNECTION ASSEMBLY” andfiled on Dec. 12, 2014, which is a continuation of and claims priorityto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/673,060, titled “BUSBARCONNECTION ASSEMBLY,” filed on Nov. 9, 2012. Each of these applicationsis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A datacenter may house several computing devices, such as servercomputers, storage devices, and networking devices. In order todistribute electrical power for the computing devices, a power bus maybe located within the datacenter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIGS. 1A-1B are drawings of examples of a portion of a datacenteraccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2B are drawings of an example of a busbar connection assemblyfor use in the datacenter of FIGS. 1A-1B according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an example of a conductive plate of the busbarconnection assembly of FIGS. 2A-2B according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an example of a spacer of the busbar connectionassembly of FIGS. 2A-2B according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5C are a series of drawings illustrating an example of thebusbar connection assembly of FIGS. 2A-2B being attached to a power busin the datacenter of FIGS. 1A-1B.

FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating another example of a busbar connectionassembly attached to a power bus in the datacenter of FIGS. 1A-1Baccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an activity performedin the datacenter of FIGS. 1A-1B according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed towards a busbar connection assemblythat may be used, for example, in a datacenter or in other environmentswhere power distribution from a power bus is desired. The busbarconnection assembly may facilitate maintenance, replacement, and/orrepair of a device in a datacenter without having to power downcomputing devices that receive power via the device being maintained,repaired, and/or replace.

As a non-limiting example, an automatic transfer switch that routespower to computing devices in a datacenter may be brought off-linewithout having to power down the computing devices. To this end, theautomatic transfer switch may be disconnected from utility and backuppower. Additionally, connections between the automatic transfer switchand a power distribution switchboard that is fed by the automatictransfer switch may be disconnected. A battery supply may thentemporarily provide power to the computing devices while the automatictransfer switch is disconnected.

With the automatic transfer switch disconnected from the power sources,a busbar connection assembly may be attached to a power bus within theswitchboard, and the busbar connection assembly may then be connected toa backup power source, such as a generator. Thus, the backup powersource may provide power to the computing devices through the busbarconnection assembly while the automatic transfer switch is off-line.

The busbar connection assembly may comprise multiple conductive platesthat are substantially parallel with respect to each other, and slotsmay be formed between the conductive plates. To attach the busbarconnection assembly to the power bus, the conductive plates of thebusbar connection assembly may insert between busbar plates for thepower bus, while the busbar plates for the power bus insert into theslots in the busbar connection assembly.

When the automatic transfer switch is repaired or replaced and ready tobe brought back online, the backup power source may be disconnected fromthe busbar connection assembly, and the battery supply may temporarilyprovide power to the computing devices. The automatic transfer switchmay then be reconnected to the switchboard, and the utility and backuppower may be reconnected to the automatic transfer switch. Thereafter,the automatic transfer switch routes the electrical power to thecomputing devices. Thus, the automatic transfer switch may bemaintained, repaired, or replaced without having to power down thecomputing devices. In the following discussion, a general description ofthe system and its components is provided, followed by a discussion ofthe operation of the same.

With reference to FIG. 1A, shown is a drawing of an example of a portionof a datacenter 100 according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The datacenter 100 may, for example, provide data processingand data storage capabilities for various uses. For electrical power,the datacenter 100 may include, for example, a primary power source 103and a secondary power source 106 in electrical communication with anautomatic transfer switch 109. The automatic transfer switch 109 may bein further electrical communication with a switchboard 113, which isfurther coupled to a battery supply 116. One or more load devices 119may be electrically coupled to the battery supply 116.

The primary power source 103 may be, for example, a public utility thatprovides electrical power. The secondary power source 106 may be a powersource that is used in the event of an interruption in the primary powersource 103. As such, the secondary power source 106 may be embodied inthe form of one or more electric generators powered by fuel or renewablesources, for example.

The automatic transfer switch 109 routes electrical power from theprimary power source 103 or the secondary power source 106 to theswitchboard 113 and/or possibly other devices. If the primary powersource 103 is online and functioning properly, the automatic transferswitch 109 may couple the switchboard 113 to the primary power source103. In the event that the primary power source 103 goes off-line or isnot functioning properly, the automatic transfer switch 109 mayelectrically couple the switchboard 113 to the secondary power source106. Thus, the secondary power source 106 may serve as a backup powersupply for the datacenter 100 when there are issues with the primarypower source 103.

The switchboard 113 may function as a power distribution unit forvarious components in the datacenter 100. To this end, the switchboard113 may include one or more power buses 123 that provide power andfacilitate electrical coupling between various components. According tovarious embodiments, a power bus 123 may include multiple busbar platesthat are substantially parallel with respect to each other. The powerbus 123 may comprise, for example, copper busbar plates to facilitateconducting electrical current. Example configurations of busbar platesfor a power bus 123 are discussed in further detail below.

The battery supply 116 and potentially other components may beelectrically coupled to the switchboard 113 via the power bus 123. Thebattery supply 116 may provide temporary power to devices in thedatacenter 100. To this end, the battery supply 116 may be embodied inthe form of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or other type ofbackup power device.

One or more load devices 119 may be electrically coupled to the batterysupply 116. According to various embodiments, the load devices 119 mayinclude computing devices, such as server computers, storage devices,network switches, or any other type of device used in networkcommunications, data processing, and/or data storage. The load devices119 may use the battery supply 116 as a temporary backup power source inthe event that the primary power source 103 and/or the secondary powersource 106 are not providing power. Thus, the load devices 119 may becapable of functioning despite temporarily losing power from the primarypower source 103 and/or the secondary power source 106. In someembodiments, the battery supply 116 and one or more of the load devices119 may be in parallel connection, instead of being in series connectionas shown in FIG. 1A.

Next, a general description of the operation of the various componentsof the datacenter 100 is provided. To begin, it is assumed that theprimary power source 103 is online and providing electrical power, thatthe secondary power source 106 is prepared to provide power in the eventthat the primary power source 103 goes off-line, and that the batterysupply 116 is charged to the extent that it can temporarily supply powerto the load devices 119.

When the primary power source 103 is online and providing power for thedatacenter 100, the automatic transfer switch 109 electrically couplesthe primary power source 103 to the switchboard 113. As such, the powerbus 123 is in electrical connection with the primary power source 103,and the battery supply 116 and the load devices 119 are powered usingthe primary power source 103.

In the event that the primary power source 103 malfunctions or goesoff-line, the battery supply 116 maintains a temporary power supply forthe load devices 119 until power from the secondary power source 106 isprepared to be provided to the load devices 119. While the load devices119 are being powered by the battery supply 116, the automatic transferswitch 109 removes the electrical coupling from the primary power source103 and provides electrical coupling between the switchboard 113 and thesecondary power source 106. Thus, the power bus 123 becomes electricallycoupled to the secondary power source 106. In turn, the electrical powerfrom the secondary power source 106 is provided to the battery supply116 and the load devices 119.

Upon the primary power source 103 going back online, the automatictransfer switch 109 removes the electrical coupling between theswitchboard 113 and the secondary power source 106, and then provideselectrical connection between the switchboard 113 and the primary powersource 103. During the switch, the battery supply 116 provides power tothe load devices 119. When the switch from the secondary power source106 to the primary power source 103 has completed, the primary powersource 103 is connected via the automatic transfer switch 109 to theswitchboard 113 and thus the power bus 123. As such, the battery supply116 and the load devices 119 are then powered by the primary powersource 103.

As can be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill in the art,various devices in the datacenter 100 may require maintenance, repair,and/or replacement from time to time. In order to accomplish thismaintenance, repair, and/or replacement, some of these devices may needto be removed from their respective power sources for safety or otherconsiderations. As a non-limiting example, the automatic transfer switch109 may experience a failure that requires disconnecting the primarypower source 103 and the secondary power source 106 in order toaccomplish the replacement and/or repair of the automatic transferswitch 109. With the primary power source 103 and the secondary powersource 106 disconnected from the automatic transfer switch 109, thebattery supply 116 may supply a backup power to the load devices 119.However, because the battery supply 116 has a limited storage capacity,the time for which the battery supply 116 is capable of powering theload devices 119 is limited. It may be the case that the time it takesto repair or replace the automatic transfer switch 109 exceeds the timefor which the battery supply 116 is capable of powering the load devices119.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a backup power source, suchas the secondary power source 106, may be temporarily coupled directlyto the power bus 123 to provide power for the load devices 119, as willnow be described. Turning to FIG. 1B, shown is the datacenter 100 afterthe power connections between the automatic transfer switch 109 andother components in the datacenter 100 have been removed. In addition,the secondary power source 106 has been routed to the power bus 123 inthe switchboard 113. A busbar connection assembly 200 (FIGS. 2A-2B) maybe used, for example, to electrically couple the secondary power source106 to the power bus 123. It is understood that in alternativeembodiments, a different type of backup power source, such as a roll-upgenerator or other type of power source, may be connected directly tothe power bus 123, instead of the secondary power source 106.

As shown, the automatic transfer switch 109 is isolated from the primarypower source 103, the secondary power source 106, and the power bus 123for the datacenter 100. After the automatic transfer switch 109 isdisconnected from the primary power source 103 and the secondary powersource 106, and before the secondary power source 106 is connecteddirectly to the power bus 123, the load devices 119 may be temporarilypowered using the battery supply 116. Upon the secondary power source106 being coupled directly to the power bus 123, the load devices 119may be powered by the secondary power source 106, and the battery supply116 may recharge. As such, the load devices 119 may continue to bepowered by the secondary power source 106 and/or the battery supply 116while the automatic transfer switch 109 is disconnected from the system.

When the automatic transfer switch 109 is repaired or replaced and readyto be powered by the primary power source 103 and/or the secondary powersource 106, the direct connection from the secondary power source 106and the power bus 123 may be removed. In embodiments where a busbarconnection assembly 200 is used, the busbar connection assembly 200 mayremain connected to the power bus 123, and a cable between the busbarconnection assembly 200 and the secondary power source 106 may bedisconnected. In such a case, the busbar connection assembly 200 mayremain coupled to the power bus 123 indefinitely.

Upon the secondary power source 106 being disconnected from the powerbus 123, the battery supply 116 may provide temporary power for the loaddevices 119. While the battery supply 116 is powering the load devices119, the primary power source 103 and the secondary power source 106 maybe reconnected to the automatic transfer switch 109, and the automatictransfer switch 109 may be reconnected to the power bus 123 in theswitchboard 113. Thus, the automatic transfer switch 109 may be removedfrom power and repaired or replaced without the datacenter 100 losingthe functionality of the load devices 119.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A-2B, shown are drawings of an example of a busbarconnection assembly 200 that may be used in the datacenter 100 (FIG. 1)according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Morespecifically, the busbar connection assembly 200 may serve, for example,as an electrical coupling between the power bus 123 (FIGS. 1A-1B) andthe secondary power source 106 (FIGS. 1A-1B) or between any otherdevices. FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the busbar connectionassembly 200, and FIG. 2B shows a top view of the busbar connectionassembly 200 according to various embodiments.

The busbar connection assembly 200 may comprise multiple conductiveplates 203, multiple spacers 206, multiple slots 209, one or more firstfasteners 213, one or more second fasteners 216, one or more powercables 219, and potentially other features and/or components. Theconductive plates 203, the spacers 206, the power cables 219, the firstfasteners 213, and/or the second fastener 216 may comprise, for example,copper or any other electrically conductive material.

As shown, the conductive plates 203 may be substantially parallel withrespect to each other. Similarly, the spacers 206 may be substantiallyparallel with respect to each other and with respect to the conductiveplates 203. Each spacer 206 may be located between a pair of theconductive plates 203. Further, each of the slots 209 may be locatedbetween a pair the conductive plates 203, and each of the spacers 206may be located at an end of each of the slots 209.

Each of the slots 209 may be configured to provide space for one or morebusbar plates of the power bus 123 (FIG. 1), and each of the conductiveplates 203 may be configured to insert between a pair of busbar platesof the power bus 123. Additionally, one or more of the conductive plates203 may include a tapered edge 223 that may facilitate insertion of theconductive plate 203 between the busbar plates of the power bus 123. Thetapered edge 223 may also facilitate the busbar plates being inserted inthe slots 209 between the conductive plates 203.

The one or more first fasteners 213 may insert through the conductiveplates 203 and the spacers 206. The first fasteners 213, for example,may be threaded into nuts 226 and tightened to maintain the conductiveplates 203 and the spacers 206 being in alignment and close proximity asshown in FIGS. 2A-2B. According to various embodiments, conductive ornon-conductive epoxies, glues, or other materials may be used tomaintain the conductive plates 203 being in close proximity to thespacers 206.

The one or more power cables 219 may be used to electrically connect theconductive plates 203 and/or the spacers 206 to a power source, such asthe secondary power source 106 (FIGS. 1A-1B), or another component.Camlocks, “quick connectors,” pigtail connectors, or any other type ofcomponent may be used to connect the power cables 219 to the firstfasteners 213 or any other conductive element of the busbar connectionassembly 200. Although the present example shows a pair of power cables219 connected to the first fasteners 213, fewer or more power cables 219may be used according to various embodiments. For example, the quantityof the power cables 219 used may be based at least in part on theexpected amount of current to flow through the busbar connectionassembly 200.

The second fastener 216 may insert through the conductive plates 203 andscrew into a nut 229 or another type of component. By tightening thesecond fastener 216 and the nut 229, one or more of the conductiveplates 203 clamp on and press against one or more of the busbar platesof the power bus 123. In alternative embodiments, a clamp, such as aC-clamp, or other type of apparatus may be used to clamp one or more ofthe conductive plates 203 against one or more of the busbars for thepower bus 123. The conductive plates 203 may clamp on one or more of thebusbar plates by, for example, the conductive plates 203 flexing orpivoting about the spacers 206.

In the embodiment shown, the busbar connection assembly 200 isconfigured so that when the busbar connection assembly 200 is attachedto the power bus 123, the busbar plates are located in the slots 209between the second fastener 216 and the spacers 206. However, inalternative embodiments, the busbar connection assembly 200 may beconfigured to so that when the busbar connection assembly 200 isattached to the power bus 123, the second fastener 216 is locatedbetween the busbar plates and the spacers 206.

Although the present embodiment shows the spacers 206 being separatecomponents from the conductive plates 203, in alternative embodimentsone or more of these components may be unitary. For instance, a block ofcopper or another material may be milled in order to form the slots 209,the conductive plates 203, the connectors, and/or other features of thebusbar connection assembly 200.

Turning now to FIG. 3, shown is an example of one of the conductiveplates 203 in the busbar connection assembly 200 (FIGS. 2A-2B) accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure. The conductive plate203 may be, for example, rectangular or any other shape and may comprisecopper or another type of material that conducts electricity. In someembodiments, the conductive plate 203 may have a tapered edge 223 thatmay facilitate insertion of the conductive plate 203 between busbarplates of the power bus 123 (FIGS. 1A-1B).

Additionally, the conductive plate 203 may include one or more firstholes 306 through which the first fasteners 213 (FIGS. 2A-2B) insert andone or more second holes 309 through which the one or more secondfasteners 216 (FIGS. 2A-2B) insert. Because it may be difficult for thesecond fastener 216 to access the second hole 309 when the busbarconnection assembly 200 is attached to the power bus 123, the secondhole 309 may be larger than the first holes 306 to facilitate the secondfastener 216 being inserted into the second hole 309. A washer or anenlarged head on the second fastener 216, for example, may prevent thesecond fastener 216 from falling through the second hole 309 of thebusbar connection assembly 200.

Turning to FIG. 4, shown is an example of one of the spacers 206 in thebusbar connection assembly 200 (FIGS. 2A-2B) according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. The spacer 206 may be rectangularor any other shape. Additionally, at least a portion of the spacer 205may comprise copper or any other type of material that conductselectricity. According to various embodiments, the spacer 206 may or maynot comprise electrically conductive materials. In some embodiments, thespacer 206 may comprise a compressible material, such as rubber, thatfacilitates the conductive plates 203 (FIGS. 2A-2B) flexing and/orpivoting to clamp to the busbar plates of the power bus 123.

The spacer 206 may also include one or more holes 403 through which thefirst fasteners 213 (FIGS. 2A-2B) may insert. In addition, the spacer206 may include one or more holes 403 through which the first fasteners213 (FIGS. 2A-2B) insert. In embodiments where the spacer 206 comprisesa non-conductive material, the spacer 206 may also have conductiveportions to facilitate current flowing through the busbar connectionassembly 200. For instance, conductive rings may form the holes 403, anda compressible rubber may surround the outer circumference of theconductive rings.

With reference now to FIG. 5A, shown is an example of the busbarconnection assembly 200 prepared to be attached to a power bus 123. Aspreviously mentioned, the power bus 123 may route power through thedatacenter 100 (FIGS. 1A-1B). To this end, the power bus 123 in thepresent example includes multiple conductive busbar plates 500 that aresubstantially parallel with respect to each other. In addition, spacings503 may be located between the busbar plates 500.

As shown, the busbar connection assembly 200 is assembled so that thepower cables 219 are electrically connected to the conductive plates 203and the spacers 206. Additionally, the second fastener 216 (FIGS. 2A-2B)is removed from the busbar connection assembly 200 so that the busbarplates 500 may be inserted into the slots 209 of the busbar connectionassembly 200 and so that the conductive plates 203 may be inserted intothe spacings 503 between the busbar plates 500. In addition, the busbarconnection assembly 200 is oriented so that the slots 209 are alignedwith the busbar plates 500 and so that a plurality of the conductiveplates 203 are aligned with the spacings 503 between the busbar plates500.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, shown is an example of the busbar connectionassembly 200 after a plurality of the busbar plates 500 have beeninserted into the slots 209 in the busbar connection assembly 200. Asshown, a plurality of the conductive plates 203 have also beensimultaneously inserted into the spacing 503 located between the busbarplates 500. In some embodiments, the friction between the conductiveplates 203 and the busbar plates 500 may be to the extent that anobject, such as a mallet or hammer, may be used to hammer the busbarconnection assembly 200 in order for the conductive plates 203 to arrivein the position shown in FIG. 5B with respect to the busbar plates 500.

Turning to FIG. 5C, shown is an example of the busbar connectionassembly 200 after the second fastener 216 has been inserted into theconductive plates 203 and threaded into the nut 229 (FIG. 2A). Aspreviously mentioned the second hole 309 (FIG. 3) in the conductiveplates 203 may be larger than the first holes 306. To prevent the headof the second fastener 216 from sliding all the way through theconductive plates 203, the second fastener 216 may insert into a washer506 that has an outer diameter greater than the second hole 309, and thewasher 506 may be sandwiched between the head of the second fastener 216and the outermost conductive plate 203. The second fastener 216 may bethreaded into the nut 229 and tightened such that the second fastener216 in conjunction with the nut 226 forces the outermost conductiveplates 203 to flex and/or pivot towards the inner conductive plates 203.Thus, the outermost conductive plates 203 can clamp down on and pressagainst one or more of the busbar plates 500 to thereby restrict removalof the busbar connection assembly 200 from the power bus 123.

In the embodiment shown, the busbar plates 500 are located in the slots209 between the second fastener 216 and the spacers 206. Because thesecond fastener 216 extends through the conductive plates 203, thesecond fastener 216 may act as a stop and thereby further preventremoval of the busbar connection assembly 200 from the power bus 123. Inorder to remove the busbar connection assembly 200, the second fastener216 may be unscrewed from the nut 229, and the second fastener 216 maybe removed from the conductive plates 203. Thereafter, the busbarconnection assembly 200 may be pulled away from the power bus 123.

With reference now to FIG. 6, shown is another example of a busbarconnection assembly 200 for use in, for example, the datacenter 100(FIGS. 1A-1B) according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In particular, shown is an example of the busbar connectionassembly 200 after the second fastener 216 has been inserted into theconductive plates 203 and threaded into the nut 229 (FIG. 2A). In theembodiment shown, the second fastener 216 and the second hole 309 (FIG.3) are located so that when the busbar connection assembly 200 isattached to the power bus 123, the second fastener 216 is locatedbetween the busbar plates 500 and the spacers 206. The second fastener216 and the nut 229 (FIG. 2A) may be tightened, causing the outermostconductive plates 203 to flex and/or pivot about the spacers 206. As aresult, the outermost conductive plates 203 may clamp down on and pressagainst the busbar plates 500, thereby restricting removal of the busbarconnection assembly 200 from the power bus 123.

In order to remove the busbar connection assembly 200, the secondfastener 216 may be loosened or removed. Thereafter, the busbarconnection assembly 200 may be forced away from the busbar plates 500.

Referring now to FIG. 7, shown is a flowchart that illustrates anexample of an activity performed in the datacenter 100 (FIGS. 1A-1B)according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.Specifically, the flowchart of FIG. 7 provides an example of a device,such as an automatic transfer switch 109, in the datacenter 100 (FIGS.1A-1B) being disconnected form the primary power source 103 (FIGS.1A-1B) and the secondary power source 106 (FIGS. 1A-1B), the busbarconnection assembly 200 (FIGS. 2A-2B) being used to provide electricalpower to the load devices 119 (FIGS. 1A-1B), and the device beingreconnected to the primary power source 103 and the secondary powersource 106.

Beginning with box 703, the device in the datacenter 100 is removed fromthe primary power source 103. The device being removed from the primarypower source 103 may be, for example the automatic transfer switch 109or any other device in the datacenter 100 that is being disconnectedfrom power for various reasons. As shown in box 706, the device is alsodisconnected from the secondary power source 106. At this time, thebattery supply 116 may provide backup power for the load devices 119.

Next, the connections between the device and the power bus 123 (FIGS.1A-1B) in the switchboard 113 (FIGS. 1A-1B) are removed, as shown in box709. At this point, the device is electrically isolated from the powersources and the power bus 123.

In box 713, the busbar connection assembly 200 (FIGS. 2A-2B) iselectrical coupled to the power bus 123. Coupling the busbar connectionassembly 200 to the power bus 123 may involve inserting one or more ofthe conductive plates 203 (FIGS. 2A-2B) of the busbar connectionassembly 200 between the busbar plates 500 (FIGS. 5A-5C) andsimultaneously inserting one or more of the busbar plates 500 in theslots 209 (FIG. 2A) in the busbar connection assembly 200. As shown inbox 716, the busbar connection assembly 200 is then electrically coupledto a backup power source. According to various embodiments, the backuppower source may be the secondary power source 106, a roll-up generator,or any other type of power source. Additionally, in some embodiments,the primary power source 103 may instead be connected to the busbarconnection assembly 200.

In box 719, backup power is then provided to the load devices 119 (FIGS.1A-1B) using the backup power source via the busbar connection assembly200. While the load devices 119 are being powered by the backup powersource, the powered-down device (e.g., the automatic transfer switch109) may be maintained, repaired, and/or replaced, as shown in box 723.Additionally, at this time the battery supply 116 may power the loaddevices 119, so that the datacenter 100 does not lose the computingand/or storage capabilities of the load devices 119.

When the device is ready to be reconnected to the primary power source103 and/or secondary power source 106, the backup power source may bedisconnected from the busbar connection assembly 200, as shown in box726. For example, one or more power cables 219 (FIGS. 2A-2B) thatconnect the backup power source and the busbar connection assembly 200may be disconnected, while the busbar connection assembly 200 remainsattached to the power bus 123. In alternative embodiments, the busbarconnection assembly 200 may be removed from the power bus 123. For theembodiments in which the busbar connection assembly 200 remains attachedto the power bus 123, the busbar connection assembly 200 may serve as aconnection point for future usage.

Moving to box 729, the primary power source 103 and the secondary powersource 106 are coupled to device. Next, as depicted in box 733, theprimary power source 103 and/or the secondary power source 106 providepower to the device, such as the automatic transfer switch 109, whichmay route the power to the load devices 119. At this time, the batterysupply 116 may stop powering the load devices 119 and begin to recharge.Thereafter, the process ends.

The flowchart of FIG. 7 shows an example of activity performed in thedatacenter 100. Although the flowchart of FIG. 7 shows a specific orderof performance, it is understood that the order of performance maydiffer from that which is depicted. For example, the order ofperformance of two or more blocks may be scrambled relative to the ordershown. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession in FIG. 7 may beperformed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Further, in someembodiments, one or more of the boxes shown in FIG. 7 may be skipped oromitted. It is understood that all such variations are within the scopeof the present disclosure.

It is emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the presentdisclosure are merely possible examples of implementations to set forthfor a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Manyvariations and modifications may be made to the above-describedembodiments without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andprotected by the following claims.

Therefore, the following is claimed:
 1. A system, comprising: adatacenter power bus comprising a first busbar conductor and a secondbusbar conductor, the datacenter power bus being in electricalcommunication with a computing device; and a busbar connection assemblyattached to the datacenter power bus, wherein the busbar connectionassembly provides an electrical coupling between a backup power supplyand the datacenter power bus, the busbar connection assembly comprising:a first conductor; a second conductor; and wherein an opening is formedbetween the first conductor and the second conductor, and wherein atleast one of the first busbar conductor or the second busbar conductoris positioned in the opening between the first conductor and the secondconductor.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first busbar conductoris substantially parallel to the second busbar conductor.
 3. The systemof claim 1, wherein the first conductor is substantially parallel to thesecond conductor.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the busbarconnection assembly further comprises a fastener inserted through thefirst conductor and the second conductor, wherein the fastener restrictsa removal of the busbar connection assembly from the datacenter powerbus.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein: the busbar connection assemblyfurther comprises a spacer positioned between the first conductor andthe second conductor; and the first busbar conductor is positionedbetween the fastener and the spacer.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein:the busbar connection assembly further comprises a spacer positionedbetween the first conductor and the second conductor; and the fasteneris positioned between the first busbar conductor and the spacer.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein: the first conductor further comprises afirst tapered edge; and the second conductor further comprises a secondtapered edge.
 8. An apparatus, comprising: a first conductor; a secondconductor, wherein an opening that receives a busbar conductor of adatacenter power bus is formed between the first conductor and thesecond conductor; and a power cable electrically coupled to the firstconductor and the second conductor.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe first conductor inserts between the busbar conductor and anadditional busbar conductor of the datacenter power bus.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the first conductor further comprises atapered edge that facilitates the first conductor being inserted betweenthe busbar conductor and the additional busbar conductor of thedatacenter power bus.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising aconductive spacer located between the first conductor and the secondconductor.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a fastenerthat inserts into the first conductor and the second conductor, whereinthe busbar conductor is located between the conductive spacer and thefastener.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a fastenerthat inserts into the first conductor and the second conductor, whereinthe fastener is located between the busbar conductor and the conductivespacer.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first conductor andthe second conductor clamp onto the busbar conductor of the datacenterpower bus.
 15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the power cable iselectrically coupled to a backup power source of a datacenter.
 16. Amethod, comprising: inserting a datacenter busbar conductor into anopening that is formed between a first conductor and a second conductorof a busbar connection assembly; restricting the busbar connectionassembly from being removed from the opening that is formed between thefirst conductor and the second conductor; and electrically coupling thebusbar connection assembly to an electrical power source.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein restricting the removal of the busbar connectionassembly comprises inserting a fastener into the first conductor and thesecond conductor of the busbar connection assembly.
 18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein restricting the removal of the busbar connectionassembly comprises clamping the first conductor and the second conductorof the busbar connection assembly onto the datacenter busbar conductor.19. The method of claim 16, further comprising electrically decouplingthe busbar connection assembly from another electrical power sourceprior to electrically coupling the busbar connection assembly to theelectrical power source.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprisingelectrically decoupling the busbar connection assembly from an automatictransfer switch prior to electrically coupling the busbar connectionassembly to the electrical power source.